Chapter 16
Morning dawned in the village of white stone. Isika sat with her arms around her knees, watching the light change in the eastern sky. It was time to leave the village and and split the group, to journey in their different directions. Isika leaned over and bent with her face to the ground, trying to find the strength for this. When she heard her friends talking nearby, she stood and took a deep breath. Now.
They all hugged one another, clasping arms and gripping in farewell. Isika hugged Deto, Ivy, and finally found herself face to face with her friend, Jabari.
He looked serious.
What’s wrong? she asked in her mind.
Who will I be competitive with, if we are always split up on journeys? He gave her a tiny wink. Heat rushed into her face. This was getting ridiculous. She could
